FORESTRY — HARDWOOD — FURNITURE
MANUFACTURING
1024. Hon STEVE MARTIN to the minister representing the Minister
for Forestry:
I refer to the ABC online news
article titled ''End of WA's native timber logging final blow
for jarrah and marri furniture maker'' wherein the minister says that
there will be timber available for high-end products.
(1) What amount
of hardwood timber does the minister consider to be an adequate supply for
furniture manufacturers in WA?
(2) Will the minister ensure that
any commitment is reflected in the upcoming forest management plan?
Hon ALANNAH MacTIERNAN
replied:
I
thank the member for some notice of the question. The Minister for Forestry has
provided the following information.
(1)–(2) Native timber sourced from ecological thinning and
approved mine site clearing will continue to be available for products
such as high-value furniture, joinery and artisanal products post-2023. The
Forest Products Commission in consultation with the Forest Industries
Federation of WA has recently carried out an expression of interest with
industry, including high-value furniture makers, to determine the best use of the native hardwood products available post-2023.
The feedback gathered as part of that process is currently being
assessed and will guide the future sales process and the volumes allocated to
this part of the industry once the Forest management plan 2024–2033
is finalised. The process for the sale and purchase of these products will be
released following the finalisation and publication of the next forest
management plan.